Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
161,958 games: White 49.8% / Draw 6.0% / Black 44.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 51,46551K | ||
| 33,77634K | ||
| 30,18430K | ||
| 19,18419K | ||
| 12,53613K | ||
| 5,7655,765 | ||
| 2,9412,941 | ||
| 2,2362,236 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 22, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.04 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... O-O 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 dxc4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 c5 9. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation (ECO E20, Indian Defenses) is a variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. g3 (4 moves).
In 161,958 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.8%, Black 44.2% and 6.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…O-O, in 32% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation
4…Bxc3+ scores best for Black: 48.3%, with Black winning 45.7% and White 49.0% of 19K games. The most played, 4…O-O, scores 48.0% in 51K games, and 4…Ne4 scores lowest: 45.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 4…O-O.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Nimzo-Indian Defense: Romanishin Variation (E20)”. Lichess data as of 22 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/nimzo-indian-defense-romanishin-variation